Now available in a new edition, this array of masterpieces by the luminaries of the Impressionist movement is the next best thing to viewing them in person. No artistic education is complete without a healthy dose of Impressionism. Here fifty of the most important works from the early nineteenth through the early twentieth centuries are gorgeously reproduced, including the best of Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, Cassatt, Manet, Seurat, and Pisarro. Each piece is given a brief overview establishing its place in the Impressionist pantheon as well as in its artist's oeuvre. An introductory text explains the Impressionistic style, tracing the movement's development, while an appendix offers biographies of the artists. The result is a veritable tour on Impressionism, offering an enjoyable and practical art history lesson that everyone can enjoy.

Presents fifty of the most important works from the early nineteenth to the turn of twentieth centuries in colour.

Now available in an updated edition, this attractive, useful, and entertaining collection of great artists and great art is a course in art history for readers of all ages. This bestselling reference guide profiles 50 major artists alongside their representative works. The entries are presented in an eye-catching format that features superb illustrations, brief biographies, and critical analyses. A glossary of important terms is also included in the book. Arranged chronologically, the selection of artists includes every major artistic movement and development since the Gothic period, giving readers a clear understanding of the evolution of the visual arts. Perfect for casual reading or easy reference, this accessible overview is a fun and practical art history lesson that everyone can enjoy.

Now available in an updated edition, this generously illustrated book is a tour of the most important Western paintings since the Renaissance. Spanning seven centuries, this selection of 50 iconic paintings offers readers a crash course in art history while presenting gorgeous color reproductions that are a pleasure to contemplate. Starting with Giotto’s Arena Chapel frescoes and continuing through Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring as well as works by Monet, van Gogh, Cassatt, Cézanne, Dalí, Kahlo, Hopper, Pollock, Rothko, and O’Keeffe, nearly every important painter is represented in this book.

This dazzling selection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings features lavish reproductions, lively commentary, and a beautiful slipcase that will delight art lovers. The National Gallery of Art in Washington possesses nearly 400 French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings—one of the finest collections of its kind in the world. This book celebrates that collection with 50 of the Gallery’s best-known works, which represent a generous cross section of impressionist and postimpressionist art at its most breathtaking. Reproduced with stunning quality, the full- and double-page illustrations allow readers to savor Van Gogh’s vibrant palette, the lushness of Monet’s gardens, the texture of Cézanne’s still lifes, and the delicate beauty of Renoir’s women. Works by Gauguin, Seurat, Bazille, and Toulouse-Lautrec display the wide range of styles encompassed by the impressionist and post-impressionist periods. Each masterpiece is accompanied by a brief and informative text, while an essay recounts the challenges and excitement of forming a storied collection. The next best thing to viewing such marvelous art in person, this book offers pleasure on every page.

In this innovative approach to Impressionism and its methods, Jonathan Stephenson's instruction enables amateurs the world over to paint like the Impressionists. Vibrantly illustrated in colour throughout, both with well-known works of art and step-by-step examples, the book shows how the masters achieved their diverse effects and how their ideas and styles can be adapted to today's tastes. Sections on the artists provide fascinating insights into individual techniques: learn how Monet produced his oil colour sketches, or how Sisley created his atmospheric landscapes. With an introduction providing the historical background to Impressionism, and a comprehensive section on artists' materials, this is a highly practical book that will appeal both to beginners and more experienced artists, as well as to the many thousands of of people inspired by the brilliance and beauty of Impressionist painting.